Prompt

Birds symbolize movement, migration, and breaking barrier, mirroring our experiences as Black birders as we navigate and thrive in environments where we have historically been excluded. “Flock to Freedom” aims to provide space for empowerment, self-expression, and connection to ancestral roots white challenging stereotypes about who belongs in nature.

BlackAFinSTEM prompt

Featured Birders

Today’s featured birders are Sheridan Alford and Danielle Belleny, two cofounders of Black Birders Week.

Click here to see Sheridan Alford and Danielle Belleny talk more about the creation of Black Birders Week in a video by LiveScience

Click here to meet the BlackAFinSTEM team and other black birders!

Lesson: Generalist vs. Specialist

Click here for the google slides presentation about what makes an animal a specialist or a generalist.

SoWBA original presentation

Activity: Migration Obstacle Course

20-40 min In/Outdoor, Active K-5 (6-8)

Outdoor (or a large indoor space)

Materials: SoWBA Migration Obstacle Course tote, or a collection of household/school objects. Full lesson description at swibirds.org.

Introduce students to the topic of migration and the impacts climate change will have on it. Talk about why birds migrate, which birds migrate, and how they migrate. Discuss energy budgets, like the fine balance between having enough fat reserves to migrate and eating so much that the bird is unable to fly. * Full lesson description is inside the MOC tote or online at swibirds.org.

Set up your obstacle course. Choose obstacles birds face during migration, and decide on how you’ll represent them in the obstacle course. Some of our favorites are: windows (draw buildings on cardboard boxes and have kids jump over them), power lines (place rope on the ground and kids must run through without touching the rope), bright lights (traffic cones on the ground, kids weave through them), pesticides (bandanas sprinkled on the ground that kids must avoid), outdoor cats (child pretends to be a cat and can tag birds within a designated area), wind turbines (child stands still while spinning their arms- they can tag kids who come too close), dwindling good habitat (carpet squares or similar, kids must jump from patch to patch).

Variation: Place a number of items representing food along the route and tell the kids they must find a certain number of food pieces while they “migrate” across. Discuss how vital the food item is, as they will not have the energy to survive/return (get through the obstacles) if they do not eat. Each round, take away or place more “food” at the finish line, giving reasoning each time. Ex. “There was a heatwave and your main food source is low.” If they cannot find a food item, they are out for that round. Try to keep the stakes/energy low so competitive kids don’t get too worked up if they don’t get a food item.

There are lots of migration obstacle courses taught by many different organizations. This is the version preferred by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance!

Prompt

“Wings of Wisdom” builds on being “Grounded in Community” by honoring the intergenerational wisdom, scientific contributions, and lived experiences of Black birders, naturalists, and conservationists. Today, we uplift the stories of our elders, educators, and emerging leaders who guide us in understanding ecology, bird behavior, and environmental justice. “Wings of Wisdom” promotes a culture of learning because when we learn from the past, we can navigate the present with confidence and curiosity and be free to dream of a better future.

BlackAFinSTEM prompt

Featured Birder

Today’s featured birder is Juita Martinez, a biologist who studies pelicans!

Click here to listen to Juita Martinez discuss her work with pelicans on Ologies with Alie Ward

Click here to see Juita Martinez in SoWBA’s Nature Mentor series

Lesson: Redlining and Tree Canopy Cover

Tree Canopy Cover in Madison, WI Google Slideshow

Tree Canopy Cover Redlining’s Long Legacy pdf

SoWBA original presentation

Activity: Habitat Scramble

Habitat Scramble pdf

SoWBA original presentation

Prompt

Being United in Flight is a testament to the power of community. Migratory birds are able to navigate long distances and difficult journeys by drawing on the strength and collective knowledge of a mixed flock. Similarly, we aim to connect Black Birders across the diaspora to share resources, navigate challenges, and uplift each other to reach new heights in spaces where we have historically been underrepresented.

BlackAFinSTEM prompt

Featured Birder

Today’s featured birder is Corina Newsome, an ornithologist and science communicator who co-organized Black Birders Week.

Click here to see Corina Newsome explain why conservation and diversity is important for everyone in this video by pattrn

Lesson: Conservation Success Stories 30-40 min Indoor Outdoor all ages

Some space to get into small groups required

Materials: clipboards, something for kids to write or draw with, Conservation Success Stories pdf , and printed images of birds

Kids break into groups with one adult in each group. Adults read kids the story, and show pictures when it makes sense. Kids have a clipboard, paper, and pencil. They draw the story as they are listening. Could be a comic strip/storyboard, could just be one picture, could be several little disjointed pictures. Doesn’t need to be focused or skilled, can just be doodles. Focus more on listening and learning and remembering, less on the art.

SoWBA original lesson

Activity: Climate Defenders Obstacle Course

20-40 min Indoor, Outdoor all ages

Outdoor (or a large indoor space)

Materials:

SoWBA Climate Defenders Obstacle Course lesson instructions pdf

Climate Defenders Obstacle Course Images pdf

Students learn about easy choices they can make daily to help our Earth. Topics include: turning out lights & saving energy, using green transportation, shopping local (groceries), eating more plants and less meat, solar energy, and reusable water bottles.

* Full lesson description is inside the Climate Defenders Obstacle Course lesson pdf.

SoWBA original lesson

Prompt:

“Right to Rest” challenges the historical and ongoing policing of Black bodies in nature. It asserts that relaxation, observation, and connection with the natural world are not privileges, but fundamental rights. Today, we honor the restorative power of birding as a meditative, healing practice that allows Black communities to reclaim our relationship with the land on our terms. Slowing down is sacred, and in community, we protect its power to renew us.

BlackAFinSTEM prompt

Featured Birder

Today’s featured birder is Dudley Edmondson who is a writer, filmmaker, and photographer who specializes in nature writing, social and environmental justice, and the outdoors.

Click here to see how Dudley Edmondson uses birds and nature to find peace with a video by PBS.

Lesson: Nature Journaling

Nature Journaling can look different for everybody. Here’s our webpage about nature journals to help get you started:

SoWBA Nature Journal Resource

Activity: Sit Spots

Sit spots are a great way to teach kids how to sit and observe nature. They can be done anywhere: it’s best to be outside, but you could do this while looking out of your favorite window. To maximize usefulness of the sit-spot experience, follow these steps.

1. Have the kids spread out in the natural area you’re in. Set boundaries for where they’re allowed to go if the space is large! Tell kids that they should choose a space where they feel connected with nature. They should be able to sit comfortably there for a few minutes. Bring a plastic bag or a piece of tarp if it is muddy.

2. Tell kids that we’ll be sitting in their spot for 2, 5, or 10 minutes, depending on their age. You can adjust during the sit spot if you need to.

3. Before you start, set an intention for the sit spot. You could have kids just sit and soak it all in. They could try to remember all of the natural or human-made sounds they hear. They could count bird songs or look for insects. Choose whatever you think will get them excited about their spot.

4. Give kids a decisive start time, and update them when they’re half way through and when there’s 30 seconds left. This will help them make it to the end of the sit spot. You might also decide to pair this with a nature journal. Kids could write in their journal during the sit spot or after the time has passed.

5. When the sit spot time is up, everyone should share their experiences. Be excited, so that the kids will catch your enthusiasm. Discuss what the kids observed and how they felt. Was it easy or hard to sit still for so long? Were they comfortable? Would they pick the same spot again next time, or change to a new one?

Building ritual:

Sit spots are an amazing tool for building nature routine into your life. You could return to the same spot each time, or pick a new one. You could do this daily, weekly, or whenever you happen to be outside.

Created by Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature, with adaptations from SoWBA

Prompt

“Birds, Bonds, and Belonging” aims to cultivate spaces where Black Birders see themselves reflected in the birds we admire, the plants in our yards, the companions at our side, and the growing tapestry of our collective story. This subtheme celebrates how birding is more than a hobby; for us, it’s a bridges between our people and the land. Today, we highlight how birding can nurture connections to each other, the natural world, and our deep-rooted legacy and relationship to the land. Here, belonging isn’t questioned; it’s intentionally cultivated.

BlackAFinSTEM prompt

Featured Birder

Todays featured birder is J. Drew Lanham, an author, poet, and wildlife biologist who combines conservation science with personal, historical, and cultural narratives of nature.

Click here to see J. Drew Lanham speak about connecting science and art in this video by the MacArthur Foundation

Lesson: Bird Identification

30 min Indoor/Outdoor all ages

Space required: a place for the group to sit and talk, possibly where kids can see what you’re holding

Materials: field guides and pictures of birds.

Free Download: Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance’s Field Guide for Kids

Optional: print images of birds with striking field marks. Good suggestions include American Robin, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse

1. Ask kids if they think they are good birdwatchers. Explain that birdwatchers just enjoy watching birds!

2. Ask kids if they think they know how to identify a lot of birds.

3. Ask kids if they’ve ever seen a: pigeon, robin, blue jay, cardinal, crow, seagull, goose, hummingbird, mallard duck. That’s 10 birds!

4. Ask kids how they know what those birds are (hint: how is a hummingbird different from a goose?)

5. As they describe the way the birds look, guide them so that they use descriptive words about color, size, shape, and proportion.

6. Tell them that FIELD MARKS are anything about a bird’s body that helps us identify if. These things are usually different from what other birds have- they are special and unique.

7. Use yourself as an example for field marks. Say “today, my field marks are (color) legs, (color) belly, (color) feet, etc.)”.

8. Hold up a photo of a bird. Ask kids to describe the field marks. Help them use descriptive words.

9. If possible, have them describe an American Robin first, then a Baltimore Oriole. This shows them the need to be as specific as possible.

10. Introduce a field guide. Tell kids it’s a book that birders use to identify birds they’ve never seen before.

11. If possible, hand out field guides to the kids. Guides with a reduced bird list are best so they don’t get overwhelmed.

12. Hold up a photo of a bird, have kids try to identify it. Start easy, then move to harder birds.

SoWBA original lesson

Activity: Bird Watching Walk

30 min Outdoor, Active 3-8

Natural space with trails or room to explore is required

Materials: Binoculars, kids bird ID books

Talk to the kids about the ways we tell birds apart, ask them to tell you all the parts of the bird and then talk about the ways that all of these can be different. Hand out binoculars and talk about how to use them safely (do not walk while looking through them, keep the strap secured around your neck, etc.). Make sure you show them how to focus their binoculars and hand a bird ID book to anyone who wants one. Explore the natural area, walk the trails and see what birds you find! What behaviors is each bird exhibiting, what features that you discussed at the start of the lesson are visible on these birds, what is unique about each bird, etc.?

SoWBA original lesson

Click here if you can’t get outside and check out The Cornell Lab Bird Cams

Prompt

Murmurations of Color challenges the false notion that nature and conservation are monochromatic spaces. Today, we showcase how Black folks bring dynamic energy, creativity, and cultural richness to birding. We hope that by highlighting the variety of ways birds are present in Black culture, art, and media, we can celebrate our creativity and shift the narrative about who belongs in nature and birding. Murmurations of Color is a testament to the magic that happens when Black creativity and nature come together.

BlackAFinSTEM prompt

Featured Birder

Today’s featured birder is Emma Brittain, an artist who’s work centers on symbolic and real relationships between humans and the natural world.

Click here to join artist Emma Brittain in the Black Birders Week 2023: Avian Art Hour in a video by Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Lesson: Bird Silhouettes

30 min Indoor/Outdoor G2-5

Space required: a flat surface where kids can work. Outdoor will work if it is not windy.

Materials: Printed copies of the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Silhouettes OR magazines with pictures of birds, construction paper, glue, scissors, markers.

This art project encourages the use of body shape, size, and proportions to identify birds rather than relying on color. It is an important lesson for new birders, and will get kids to view their world in a fresh way. This activity includes an introduction for the class, and can then become an art project (create your own bird silhouette!), or a game (see below). Either activity can include a writing component. This activity can be adapted to a variety of other classroom uses: breaking up into teams or finding partners for other activities, matching games.

Find the pdf of this lesson at: swibirds.org/stand-alone-activities

Original SoWBA lesson

Activity: Build A Bird

30 -60+ min Indoor/Outdoor G2-12

Space required: A flat surface to write & draw on.

Materials: Build A Bird lesson plan (https://swibirds.org/stand-alone-activities). Blank paper, coloring, drawing and writing supplies. Possibly printed “body parts” (also available at above website), scissors, glue, construction paper.

Summary: Kids learn about evolution, adaptations, and bird body parts. They create their own imaginary bird that must live in a specific environment. They must determine what type of food it eats, whether it is nocturnal or diurnal, and any other adaptations it has to survive.

Options included in the lesson plan for adjusting it to younger or older kids, and for making it more of an art project or a writing assignment.

Original SoWBA lesson

Prompt

The heart of Black Birders Week recognizes that our collective voice is our greatest strength. “Community Chorus” celebrates the symphony of Black joy in birding. Like birds calling across a forest, our love and excitement shine through when we communicate, educate, and uplift one another through shared knowledge and joyful outdoor encounters. Our community chorus is a joyful noise of wisdom passed down, barriers called out, and the future being sung into existence. Here, every voice matters, and there is no policing of joy. One thing for sure and two things for certain: our community chorus will make sure the whole world hears about our song for the joy and protection of Black people and birds in wild spaces.

BlackAFinSTEM prompt

Featured Birder

Today’s featured birder is Dexter Patterson, a local Madison birder and co-founder of BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin who spreads his joy of birds through social media and his podcast.

Check out his Instagram here @wiscobirder

Click here to check out his podcast The Bird Joy Pod

Click here to check out BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

Lesson: How Birds Sing

How Birds Sing Google Slideshow

Original SoWBA presentation

Activity: Bird Call BINGO

30 min Indoor/Outdoor G2-8

Space required: a flat surface where kids can set up their BINGO board. Outdoor will work if it is not windy.

Materials: Printed copies of the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Birdcall BINGO sheet and bird pictures (cut bird pictures out – students can cut their own to save time). Access to the internet and speakers to play bird songs.

Find the pdf of this lesson at: https://swibirds.org/stand-alone-activities

You can find bird calls and songs at a variety of places online. The National Audubon Bird ID app is free and easy to use. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide will let you search for birds using the Cornell website. Explore a few to find your favorite!

A fun way to learn bird calls and songs!

1. Pass out bird picture pieces to each student/group of students.

2. Play each bird call out loud, making sure to say the name of each bird.

3. Pass out empty Bird BINGO board. Students choose 16 of their favorite birds to place face-up on the board.

4. Play a random bird call. Students use the mnemonic (words to help us remember a bird song) to identify who is singing it. Students flip over the bird picture when they identify the call.

5. Play until a student yells “BIRDO!”, indicating that they have four in a row. Check for accuracy. Keep playing until you have a winner.

6. Shuffle pictures, replace on empty board, and repeat!

Variation:

Easier: state the name of the bird when you play the bird call (or slightly after, to allow kids to guess)

Harder: Play using the bird picture sheet that does not include mnemonics!

Many lessons exist like this, this version adapted by SoWBA